Dighton-Rehoboth principal leaving to take helm at Bristol Aggie

DIGHTON – Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Principal Kevin Braga will be leaving D-R after 10 years with the school district, but he won’t be going far.

He has been appointed to be the new assistant superintendent and principal of Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton.

Bristol Aggie Superintendent Stephen Dempsey said he was very impressed with Braga’s academic and vocational administrative experience and skills.

But it was more than that that caused him to recommend Braga for the job. He was also very impressed with Braga as a person, Dempsey said.

“He has a very high level of energy and sincerity and community involvement,” Dempsey said Wednesday.

Dighton-Rehoboth Superintendent Anthony Azar said Braga was his first hire as superintendent in 2014.

“It was clear to me then as it is clear to me now the leadership qualities Kevin exhibits. He has a remarkable work ethic, is easily accessible and his administrative style is collaborative,” Azar said in an email to the Taunton Daily Gazette Wednesday.

Braga’s tentative last day at D-R is March 10 and his start date at Bristol Aggie is March 13.

“I have an outstanding rapport with Superintendent Dempsey who was extremely supportive of a start date and end date for Kevin's transition. Under the circumstances the March 10 date works for both schools,” Azar said.

Braga has been principal of D-R high school for the past three years and was assistant principal and a teacher at the high school before that.

In an email sent to D-R high school families Sunday, Braga said he has enjoyed his time at D-R.

“I will always value my time at Dighton-Rehoboth and appreciate all the support I have received over the years. I am eternally grateful for all the relationships we have built during my tenure and I will continue to wish you all the best,” Braga wrote.

Dempsey said Bristol Aggie is a small close-knit school where students aren’t just a number or even a name but are more like family.

Braga seems like a perfect fit for the school, he said, the kind of principal who inspires students because they can tell they matter to him.

“There’s an old saying, ‘Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey said the Bristol Aggie Board of Trustees has officially appointed Braga but the details or his contract are still being worked out and are not being released until they are finalized.

Azar said he has been working on a transition plan with Braga and there will be an interim principal in place as he transitions out of his current position. Meanwhile D-R will conduct a search for a permanent replacement with a start date of July 1.